Press release: 2002-11-04: SEGA Delivers Great Games for All Ages and All Consoles This Holiday Season

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library

SEGA Delivers Great Games for All Ages and All Consoles This Holiday Season; Eight Wish List Toppers Will Satisfy All Gamers -- From Dad to Bro to Anyone You Know.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 4, 2002

SEGA(R) of America, Inc. announced today that the company will fulfill any gamer's wish list this holiday season -- regardless of their age or console of preference -- with an incredible lineup of AAA games. SEGA's roster shines with the return of several blockbuster entertainment franchises, including "Shinobi(TM) for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system," "Super Monkey Ball(TM) 2" and "Sonic Mega Collection(TM)" for the Nintendo GameCube(TM), "ToeJam & Earl(TM) III: Mission to Earth" for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft(R) and the newest editions of acclaimed SEGA Sports(TM) titles for all three consoles, featuring "SEGA Sports(TM) NFL 2K3," "SEGA Sports(TM) NBA 2K3," "SEGA Sports(TM) NHL 2K3" and "SEGA Sports(TM) NCAA(R) College Basketball 2K3." This exciting array of must-have titles includes everything from adventure, party and sports games for the family to offbeat and intense action games for older audiences.

The following highly anticipated titles are leading the charge among SEGA's lineup of games available this holiday season.

For party game animals, Sonic fans and the youthful gamer in everyone:

-- "Super Monkey Ball 2" (Nintendo GameCube): SEGA is on a roll! Hot on the heels of the runaway success of the original "Super Monkey Ball(TM)," the ultimate party game is back. Jam-packed with 12 addictive Party Games, a new story mode and more than 150 stages, "Super Monkey Ball 2" delivers the ultimate in addictive multiplayer action. "Super Monkey Ball 2" is available now for a suggested retail price of $49.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.

-- "Sonic Mega Collection" (Nintendo GameCube): Sonic and friends are back in the ultimate collection! Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, "Sonic Mega Collection" lets you rediscover some of the best-selling and most-loved video games of all time. Starring SEGA's own Sonic The Hedgehog(R), and featuring seven complete SEGA Genesis(R) games and dozens of unlockable surprises, "Sonic Mega Collection" is a pure adrenaline rush of classic arcade action. "Sonic Mega Collection" will be available in November for a suggested retail price of $39.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.


For the teenager who likes funked up adventures:

-- "ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth" (Xbox): In "ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth," ToeJam, Big Earl and their hot new homegirl Latisha embark on a mission to retrieve the 12 sacred Albums of Funk, stolen by the dysfunctional inhabitants of the planet Earth. Gamers will explore sprawling environments as they master the ways of Funk-Fu and battle towards the ultimate showdown with the evil Anti-Funk. Along the way, they'll collect gift-wrapped power-ups of almost endless variety, take on harrowing side quests and generally get down with their bad selves in a massive, wickedly funny Xbox exclusive adventure. The game is available now for a suggested retail price of $49.95 and is rated "T" for teen.

For the mature gaming master that doesn't equate ninja action with turtles:

-- "Shinobi" (PlayStation 2): The legendary ninja returns, hunted by demons, haunted by the dead and hindered by the very rage that spurs him on in this latest installment of one of SEGA's most revered action franchises. Players take the role of Hotsuma as he battles through the demon-filled streets of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, running on walls, summoning Ninja magic and mastering an arsenal of ancient weaponry on a quest to avenge his clan. "Shinobi" will be available in November for a suggested retail price of $49.95 and is rated "M" for mature.

And for the sports star who wants realism that surpasses the real thing:

-- "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): The series that redefined the standards of football video gaming returns for a brand new season, with a totally revamped franchise mode, drastically improved AI, and brilliantly enhanced graphics featuring redesigned 3D stadiums, updated player and facial models and a new ESPN telecast system. "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" is the cure for gridiron fans everywhere and is playable online on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. "SEGA Sports NFL 2K3" is available now on the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube for $49.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.

-- "SEGA Sports NBA 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): SEGA Sports once again establishes new levels of realism and entertainment in the basketball genre. Building on its critically acclaimed roots, the ultimate hoops simulation, which brings uncompromisingly authentic gameplay to basketball fans, steps onto the court for another year with hundreds of new animations including highlight-reel quality dunks and dynamic cross-over moves, mid-air shot adjustments and redesigned player models. "NBA 2K3" is also playable online on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. "SEGA Sports NBA 2K3" is available now on the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube for $49.95 and is rated "E" for everyone.

-- "SEGA Sports NHL(R) 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): Building upon the acclaimed "NHL 2K" series, SEGA Sports is proud to bring to the passionate hockey fan the next level of authenticity in hockey video games -- "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3." Highly adaptive AI and a variety of new gameplay options, including advanced line controls, enhanced Goalie controls and an all-new Franchise mode, defines this fast-paced game. "SEGA Sports NHL 2K3" brings the player closer to the ice than any hockey title ever before and can be played online on Xbox. Available in November with a suggested retail price of $49.95 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.

-- "SEGA Sports NCAA College Basketball 2K3" (PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube): SEGA expands its library of sports simulations by bringing its dominant basketball lineage to the college hardwood. Complete with more than 300 Division I teams, authentic rankings system, including a weekly top 25 and bubble watch, classic and custom tournaments and a comprehensive Legacy Mode, "SEGA Sports NCAA College Basketball 2K3" delivers the ultimate college basketball experience in its freshman season. Also playable online on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. "SEGA Sports NCAA College Basketball 2K3" will be available in December with a suggested retail price of $49.95 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube.

Additional SEGA games available this holiday season include "The House of the Dead(TM) III" (Xbox, rated "M" for mature with a suggested retail price of $49.95) and "Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II(TM)" (Nintendo GameCube, rated "T" for teen with a suggested retail price of $49.95).

For more information about any of SEGA's holiday titles listed above, including screen shots, please visit the SEGA FTP site: ftp://segapr.segaamerica.com/Sega_Games. SEGA also has new hi-resolution holiday-themed character art and a SEGA Sports logo that are sure to spruce up any holiday game coverage. The festive images are available for download at: ftp://segapr.segaamerica.com/Holiday_2002/.

About SEGA

SEGA(R) of America is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a $3.5 billion corporation by market capitalization, recognized as a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. SEGA of America's Web site is located at www.sega.com.

About ESPN

Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN, Inc., "The Worldwide Leader In Sports," is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN. ESPN, Inc. includes six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Now and ESPN Today), ESPN International (24 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Regional Television, SportsTicker, and ESPN Enterprises, overseeing brand extensions such as the ESPN Zone, an interactive sports-themed dining and entertainment experience.

(TM), (R) and the Nintendo GameCube logo are trademarks of Nintendo.

"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

NHL and the NHL Shield are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. (c) 2002. All rights reserved. Officially Licensed Product of the National Hockey League. (c) NHLPA. NHL 2K3 is an Officially Licensed Product of the NHLPA. NHLPA, National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license by Sega of America, Inc.

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The "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" label is the exclusive property of The Collegiate Licensing Company. The "Collegiate Licensed Product" label is the property of the Independent Labeling Group. NCAA, the NCAA logo, and NCAA Basketball are trademarks or registered trademarks of National Collegiate Athletic Association.

(c) 2002 NFL Properties LLC. Team names and logos are trademarks of the teams indicated. All other (NFL-related marks) are trademarks of the National Football League. Officially Licensed product of PLAYERS INC. The PLAYERS INC logo is a registered trademark of the NFL players. www.nflplayers.com (c) 2002 PLAYERS INC.
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